A PROJECT to encourage people to move into Inverclyde by selling them housing plots has failed to attract a single buyer, a senior councillor claims.

Elected members on the environment and regeneration committee will today discuss a private report on the marketing of one of the eight plots, as well as recommendations about how to sell the others.

It is part of a £1m council scheme to tackle de-population by providing people moving into the area with plots of land on which they can build their own homes.

Eighty people expressed interest in the Kilmacolm development when it was launched three years ago, but village councillor David Wilson says he is disappointed none have been sold.

The scheme offers people the chance to build their own homes in Leperstone Avenue, and caused a stir at the 2014 Ideal Home Show in Glasgow, with interest being shown from as far afield as Dublin, London and the Highlands.

Preparation work on the quarry site, including water and power connections, finished early this year after months of complaints from residents about drilling noise.

Estate agents started trying to sell the plots in June with what was described by the council as a ‘soft approach’.

They contacted all of the people on the original database who had asked to be kept informed about the project.

But Councillor Wilson said: “I’ve never been comfortable with this scheme, particularly that it is available only to applicants from outside of Inverclyde.

“As far as I understand, none have been sold, so this should be opened up to people within Inverclyde.

“That’s the way forward.

“It has cost £120,000 just to prepare each plot, and no houses have been built yet.”

The council says it would not be appropriate to discuss individual sales or offers.

A spokesman told the Tele: “The self-build plots are an exciting opportunity to promote Inverclyde as a place to live to encourage more people to see the benefits of living in Inverclyde.

“The plots at Leperstone Avenue in Kilmacolm are currently being marketed through Slater Hogg and we would encourage people with an interest in these to contact the agent direct.”